By Cyndi
Now living downtown in the middle of a large metropolis like Manila, I’ve come to realize that we live in a constant midst of noise. There are sounds from the traffic and local construction work, from the hordes of people in the mall, to the echoing of cars in the layers of parking lots underground. And it’s not just here with us in the big city. I’m sure if you were to think about it, there’s quite a bit of noise you live with on a daily basis.
Every day the world wants to fill us with a plethora of sounds. And every day the Lord wants us to come away with Him to a quiet place. As Elijah sought the Lord, in 1 Kings 19, he didn’t find Him in the strong wind, nor in the earthquake. Nor did he find Him in the fire. God was found in the still small voice. That’s where Elijah heard the Lord and this is where we will find Him too.
Stillness and quietness can be hard to find. Just try it. Right now try closing your eyes, quieting your mind and focusing on the name of Jesus. What happened? Did your mind go to a whole bunch of other things – past, present, future? Did you scratch your arm or keep moving your legs around? Me too! It’s so hard to just be still and silent! But this serenity is one of the most treasured places where God is found.
Yes, we can find Him in our Bible reading, yes, we can find Him in prayer. And yes, I can sometimes even find Him in the midst of movies or TV shows, but those places are not that intimate. If Robert and I go out on a date night, usually it’s to a quiet little restaurant where we can sit and talk – a more intimate setting. The lack of noise helps us to relax and enjoy the company of each other. This is a much better atmosphere for us to communicate.
Psalm 46:10 tells us to be still and know the Lord. It’s in the stillness where we can find Him and be restored to peace. And usually it’s best to still our mind and body.
So whether you’re a busy mom with three young little ones, the CEO of a big corporation, or somewhere in between, it’s worth the time to occasionally stop and be still. Try getting away from all the noise in your life – though it may be difficult to do at times – and sit still and quiet. Quiet your mind, quiet your body. I believe as we take time out to seek Him and listen for the still, small voice, we will find Him and find rest for our souls. (Jer.29:13)